The Ashes are but a distant (if fabulous) memory and the phoney war of the seemingly unending ODI series is mercifully over, so the World Cup is almost upon us. In spite of the ICC’s relentless drive to suck all of the fun and spontaneity out of the tournament by staging it over an interminable period it is still hard not to be excited at the prospect. The fact that it is to be played in the most cricket mad part of the world adds to the fun, as the atmosphere should be electric at most matches, as does the fact that there is no clear favourite. Any one of a number of sides could end up lifting the trophy with a little bit of luck and momentum.
The introduction of quarter finals at the end of an overlong group phase is to be welcomed, since it spares us the endless, and poorly named, super phases, and should make the closing stages rather more exciting. Tournaments of any type are more exciting once the knock out phases are underway and it is at this point that the competition should come alive.
I shall be previewing the chances of the main players over the coming days. There’s a very real risk that I may be coming down with World Cup fever…
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